SRM University hails Bindra, announces 5 lakh cash award

Published: Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 18:06 [IST]

Chennai, Aug 12 (UNI) SRM University, one of the leading private educational institutions in the country, today announced a cash award of Rs five lakh to young shooter Abhinav Bindra for winning the first Individual gold medal for India in Beijing Olympics.

Speaking at the launch of the Second Semester Abroad Programme at the University campus in suburban Kattankulathur, the University's Chancellor T R Pachamuthu hailed Bindra's feat as ''the greatest achievement'' for India by a sportsperson in more than 100 years.

''Moreover, it comes after a 28 year-old gap after the last gold came in 1980 Moscow Olympics by our hockey team led by V Baskaran bagged the gold'', he said.

He said the cash award to Bindra would be given from the SRM Sports Academy.

Former Olympian Baskaran, who was also present on the occasion, lauded the University's gesture to present a cash award to Bindra and promised to bring the ace Indian shooter to the University campus to inspire the youth.

Baskaran also promised to produce a medal winner from the University in 2020 Olympics.